Liquid dispensing system and receptacle therefor

ABSTRACT

The system includes a plurality of receptacles serially connected one to the other between a gas pressure source, for example air or CO2 under pressure, and a dispensing faucet. Each receptacle includes a cup-shaped body having a cover with an opening. In one form, a valve member is slidably mounted in the opening. The member has a pair of discrete side-by-side passages terminating at their upper ends in a funnel which receives the neck of a bottle inverted over the receptacle. The passages terminate at their lower ends in inclined laterally projecting passageways. The valve member is movable from a first normally closed position into a second valve open position by downward pressure on the inverted bottle which is maintained by a leaf spring bearing against the bottom of the inverted bottle. Gas under pressure flows through one of the passages into the bottle and liquid under pressure flows through the other passage into the receptacle for communication with the dispensing faucet. In another form, a transition member comprised of a resilient stopper having a pair of axially extending passages and a pair of oppositely directed frustoconical surfaces is interposed between each inverted container and the opening in the cover of the corresponding receptacle. The container neck and the margins about the receptacle opening seal about the respective frustoconical surfaces whereby liquid under pressure is directed solely into the receptacle. A check valve is interposed between each pair of serially connected receptacles to prevent reverse flow. The serially connected receptacles are provided for dispensing different liquids. Valves provide measured pours of liquid from the faucets. The quantity of liquid dispensed for each pour can be selected among a number of predetermined quantities. Counters are provided for counting each measured pour.

United States Patent [191 Leas et al.

[ Apr. 29, 1975 LIQUID DISPENSING SYSTEM AND RECEPTACLE THEREFOR [75]Inventors: Vernon E. Leas; Jeffrey Alan Leas,

both of Phoenix, Ariz.

[73] Assignee: Diverse Venture Corporation,

Phoenix, Ariz.

[22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 403,723

Related US Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.264.6ll. June 24.

l972. Pat. No. 3,768.70l.

[52] US. Cl. 222/136; 222/400.7; 285/334.4 [51] Int. Cl. B67d 5/54 [58]Field of Search 222/l29, 129.], 129.3.

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry H. MartinAttorney, Agent, or Firm-LeBlanc & Shur [5 7] ABSTRACT The systemincludes a plurality of receptacles serially connected one to the otherbetween a gas pressure source, for example air or CO under pressure, anda dispensing faucet. Each receptacle includes a cupshaped body having acover with an opening. In one form, a valve member is slidably mountedin the opening. The member has a pair of discrete side-by-side passagesterminating at their upper ends in a funnel which receives the neck of abottle inverted over the receptacle. The passages terminate at theirlower ends in inclined laterally projecting passageways. The valvemember is movable from a first normally closed position into a secondvalve open position by downward pressure on the inverted bottle which ismaintained by a leaf spring bearing against the bottom of the invertedbottle. Gas under pressure flows through one of the passages into thebottle and liquid under pressure flows through the other passage intothe receptacle for communication with the dispensing faucet. In anotherform, a transition member comprised of a resilient stopper having a pairof axially extending passages and a pair of oppositely directedfrustoconical surfaces is interposed between each inverted container andthe opening in the cover of the corresponding receptacle. The containerneck and the margins about the receptacle opening seal about therespective frustoconical surfaces whereby liquid under pressure isdirected solely into the receptacle. A check valve is interposed betweeneach pair of serially connected receptacles to prevent reverse flow. Theserially connected receptacles are provided for dispensing differentliquids. Valves provide measured pours of liquid from the faucets. Thequantity of liquid dispensed for each pour can be selected among anumber of predetermined quantities. Counters are provided for countingeach measured pour.

11 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PRESSURE REGULATOR 11m anPATENTEBAPRZSiGYS 3,880,330

SHEET 10F 5 HGI RETENTEDAPRZS i975 SHEET 2 UF 5 PATENTEBAPR291QI53,680,330

[0 DISPENSER AIR 306 SOURCE REGULATOR MANIFOLD PMENTEDAPMMQYS SHEET 5 BF5 AIR SOURCE TO DISPENSER FIGZO A PRESSURE J REGULATOR MAN'FOLD LIQUIDDISPENSING SYSTEM AND RECEPTACLE THEREFOR This application is acontinuation-in-part of our prior application Ser. No. 264.611 filedJune 24, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,768,701, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference thereto.

The present invention relates to a liquid dispensing system andparticularly relates to a system for dispensing liquid from a pluralityof serially connected receptacles, each of which receives liquid from anassociated replaceable liquid container, to the receptacles forreceiving the liquid from the containers, and to the transition memberslocated between each container and its associated receptacle.

As employed herein, the term liquid" applies to beverages. such asliquor, soda and the like although the dispensing system hereof andreceptacles therefor will be described specifically in terms ofdispensing liquor. Also, the term container refers herein to any type ofcontainer for liquid although the following description at times refersto bottles in connection with dispensing liquor. Automatic liquordispensing systems have been proposed and constructed in the past.Certain such systems provide a plurality of inverted bottles disposedsuch that the liquor flows into a common reservoir or manifold. Theliquor then flows from the reservoir to a measuring chamber which isadjustable to provide a selected measure of drink. A counter issometimes provided for counting the number of measured drinks dispensed.A system of this type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,598,287. Anothersystem utilizes a common manifold which is inclined and on which aplurality of, relatively elevated, inerted bottles are mounted foremptying into the manifold. The manifold is coupled at one end to a gaspressure source and at its other end to a dispensing faucet and thebottles are emptied sequentially. Such system is disclosed in US. Pat.No. 3,647,l 18. Other systems for dispensing liquor and the like aredisclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,305,132; 3,428,218; 3,341,078; 3,386,621;2,634,023; 2,531,755; 3,580,425; 2,808,178; 3,119,485; 3,170,698; and3,193,143. These systems, however, have various disadvantages inconstruction, mode of operation and result. Certain such disadvantagesinclude their relatively complex construction, high cost, lack offoolproof methods for controlling liquor inventory and/or controllingthe size of the pour, lack of capability for readily expanding systemcapacity as dictated by the changing needs of the dispensingestablishment, inability to be readily and easily installed in existingrestaurants, bars and the like, the significant space required for suchinstallations, the requirement in certain systems for applying specialflow adapters to the bottles before the bottles can be integrated intothe system and the bottle breakage caused by pressure shocks.

The present invention provides a novel and improved liquid dispensingsystem which eliminates and/or minimizes many of the foregoing and otherdisadvantages associated with prior dispensing systems and provides anovel and improved liquor dispensing system having various advantages inconstruction, mode of operation and result in comparison with such priorsystems. Principally, the present invention provides a dispensing systemwherein a large number of liquid containers, i.e., bottles of liquor,can be serially connected one to the other and dispensed through afaucet under pressure. More specifically, the present invention providesa systern comprised of a plurality of serially connected receptables fordispensing like liquid under pressure from a plurality of invertedliquid containers, each receptacle having a single liquid containercoupled thereto for flowing its liquid contents into such receptacle andsubsequent serially connected receptacles. The receptacles are seriallyconnected between a source of gas under pressure and the dispensingfaucet. The gas may comprise air, CO; or the like, hereinafter referredto generally as gas. For dispensing other types of liquid, an additionalone or more sets of like serially connected receptacles are provided andconnected between a gas pressure source and one or more associatedfaucets. It is a particular feature hereof that the receptacles lie at acommon elevation while simultaneously the containers are sequentiallyemptied staring with the container nearest the gas source.

In one embodiment hereof, each receptacle comprises a generallybowl-shaped member having a side gas inlet port and a liquid outlet portat its bottom. A cover is secured to the bowl and has an opening inwhich is slidably mounted a poppet. A spring between the receptacle andpoppet biases the poppet into a first valve closed position. The poppethas a pair of discrete passages therethrough which terminate at theirupper ends in a flexible funnel for receiving liquid from the invertedcontainers. The lower end of the poppet termi nates in a frustoconicalsurface which bears. in the valve closed position, against a like valvesurface carried by the cover. The lower ends of the passages terminatein laterally outwardly inclined passageways above the frustoconicalvalve surface. When the bottle is inverted and the bottle neck isdisposed in the funnel, downward pressure on the bottle moves the valveto an open position permitting gas under pressure to flow up through oneof the passages into the bottle and liquid from the bottle to flowdownwardly through the other passage into the receptacle. By usinginclined outlet passageways at the bottom of the poppet. air locks areeliminated an sequential emptying of the containes is provided.

A further feature of this invention, particularly useful in theforegoing described system. provides a novel funnel which serves toavoid spillage upon inversion of the bottl and provides a substantialseal about the inverted bottle neck to prevent contamination of theliquid. Moreover, this unique funnel receives the bottle neck withoutany adaptation of the bottle or need to provide it with a flow controldevice.

A further feature hereof, and particularly useful with the foregoingdescribed system, includes the provision of a floating suspension forthe inverted bottles whereby shock waves propagated by dispensing fromthe pressurized system are absorbed in the system. This is significantbecause bottles mounted rigidly in a pressurized dispensing systemsometimes break at their weakest points, i.e., about the bottle neck.This bottle breakage is believed to be caused by shock waves propagatedthrough the system upon dispensing liquid therefrom and which shockwaves cause stresses on the rigidly mounted bottles beyond theirbreaking point. To preclude such breakage in the above described system,each inverted bottle is mounted between the spring biased poppet at itslower end and a resilient leaf spring at its upper end. Accordingly,both the poppet and inverted bottle are suspended between a pair ofsprings which absorb substantially the entirety of the energy of anyshock wave propagated through the pressurized system.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the receptacles aresimilary serially connected one to the other and pressurized from asuitable gas source. In this embodiment. however. a check valve isinterposed in each flow passage between next adjacent pairs of seriallyconnected receptacles. In one form. the check valve is located in theflexible conduit interconnecting the outlet port of one receptacle andthe inlet port of the next serially connected receptacle. In anotherform. the outlet port for each receptacle is provided with a normallyopen ball check valve In both forms. the check valves serve to preventreverse flow of liquid from one receptacle to one or more prior seriallyconnected receptacles. in this manner, the empty containers can bereplaced with full containers while reverse flow of liquid into theempty receptacles is prevented.

The containers can be replaced with the gas supply system either on oroff. In either event. liquid from the full containers can becontinuously dispensed for a limited period of time while the containersare being replaced due to the residual pressure remaining in the system.

A further feature hereof and particularly for use in conjunction withthe foregoing described system provides for a transition elementinterconnecting each container outlet and the associated inlet port inthe cover of the receptacle. Particularly, the transition elementincludes an elongated member having a pair of axially extendingside-by-side passages and a pair of frustoconical shaped outer surfacesextending in opposite axial directions. When the transition element isinterposed between the container and its corresponding receptacle. oneof the frustoconical surfaces seals about the container outlet while theother frustoconical surface seals about the inlet port in the cover ofthe receptacle whereby liquid from the container is directed solely intothe receptacle. The dual passages permit gas to flow into the containeras liquid flows out of the container and into the receptacle.Furthermore, by utilizing a transistion element of this configuration.the element fits all standard sizes of liquor containers. the dispensingof liquor from various sizes of liquor bottles being one of thecommerical uses for the present invention. Further, by providing alarger diameter upper frustoconical surface in comparison with thediameter of the lower frustoconical surface. transition element overliesthe inlet port to the receptacle whereby foreign objects are preventedfrom inadvertently entering the receptacle.

In utilizing either of the foregoing described systems to describedifferent liquids, the sets of plural receptacles communicate withrespective dispensing faucets via valves. The valves aresolenoid-actuated and may be maintained in an open condition forselected intervals of time whereby the quantity of fluid dispensedthrough each faucet is known and measured. Switching apparatus isprovided to open the solenoids for a longer or shorter interval toprovide an over or under measured pour as compared with a standard orregular pour. Also. the dispensing faucets may be located either in aflexible hose with drink selector buttons and the over and underselector switch carried by the hose head or on a fixed support attachedto a counter, bar or the like. 1

Accordingly. it is a primary object of the present invention to providea novel and improves liquid dispensing system.

It is another object of the present invention to pro vide a novel andimproved liquid dispensing system and receptacles therefor wherein thereceptacles are serially connected one to the other and lie either atdifferent or common elevations whereby, upon application of gas underpressure, liquid in inverted containers flowing into the receptacles isdispensed sequentially from the containers starting with the containerclosest the gas pressure source.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved liquid dispensing system and receptacles therefor which areeconomical in construction, readily adapted to existing counter orbartype facilities, inexpensively constructed, and capable of beingutilized by relatively unskilled labor.

it is a related object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved liquid dispensing system and receptacles therefor whichprovides effective inventory control and prevents dispensing ofuncounted drinks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved dispensing system wherein the capacity of the system may bereaidly and easily increased or decreased as desired to meet thechanging needs of the dispensing establishment simply by adding orremoving one or more of the receptacles which form a part of the systemhereof.

It is a still further related object of the present invention to providea novel and improved liquid dispensing system wherein the liquidcontainers or bottles are mounted for movement on an elastic suspensionsystem whereby breakage of the bottles due to the propagation of shockwaves through the pressurized system is eliminated.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved dispensing system and receptacles therefor wherein eachreceptacle is provided with a novel no-spill funnel for connection withthe liquid containers and wherein the containers do not requirespecialized equipment, such as stoppers and the like, preliminary totheir attachment and use in the present dispensing system.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved pressurized system for dispensing liquid from seriallyconnected containers and having a check valve interposed in the flowpassages between next adjacent serially connected containers to preventreverse flow of liquid upon removal of one or more of the containers.

It is another related object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved transition element for coupling an inverted liquidcontainer and a manifold or receptacle therefor whereby the transitionelement adapts the receptacle to receive liquid from bottles of avariety of conventional sizes and permits pressurization of the liquidin the container and the flow of liquid therefrom into the receptacle.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specification,appended claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one form of a dispensing systemconstructed in accordance with the present invention and particularlyillustrating plural sets of dispensers. each set containing a pluralityof serially connected receptacles;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective illustration of either dispensingsystem hereof mounted for use behind a counter or bar;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating a further form ofdispensing head:

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one of the receptaclesillustrated in FIG. 1 and illustrating the valve therefor in a closedposition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 on a reduced scale and illustratingthe valve in an open position:

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the poppet for the valve.

FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view thereof taken about on line oar-6a inFIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side-elevational view of the mounting for thereceptacle and liquid container:

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken about online 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a bottle being applied to thefunnel at the top of the receptacle;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a portion of an electricalcircuit employed with the dispensing system hereof;

FIG. 1 I is a schematic illustration of a dispensing system constructedin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of theflow passage between each receptacle and illustrating a check valvetherefor with parts broken out and in cross section;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken generally about on line13-13 in FIG. 12:

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a transition element for use with thedispensing system illustrated in FIG. II;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating thetransition member interposed be tween an inverted container andreceptacle:

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken about on line l616 inFIG. I5,

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of receptaclessimilarly as illustrated in FIG. II and utilizing the check valveillustrated in FIG. 18:

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the outletport of one of the receptacles illustrated in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken generally about on linel9-l9 in FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a still further form of adispensing system constructed in accordance receptacles. for example,groups A, B and C as illustrated with only the containers of group A andbottoms of the inverted containers of group C being illustrated.Particularly, each set of receptacles has a first recepta cle 100connected via a conduit 14 to a source of gas.

Le. air. CO; or the like. under pressure. intermediate receptacles[Ob-I00 serially connected one to the other and to the first and lastserially connected receptacles 10a and [0f respectively via conduits I6.and a last serially connected receptacle 10f connected via a conduit 20to a dispensing faucet. Each wall of a rccep tacle and an inlet port 24through the side wall of the next serially connected receptacle forcommunicating liquid from that receptacle into such next serially connected receptacle. Accordingly. with the foregoing describedarrangement. the liquid in each container 12 flows into its associatedreceptacle for flow to succesive serially connected receptacles and andto the dispensing faucet. While the containers 12 in each set ofreceptacles contain like liquids. the liquid containers in the othersets may contain like or unlike liquids, as desired.

For example. the liquid containers in one dispensing set may contain ginwhile the liquid containers in another dispensing set may contain vodkawhereby gin or vodka can be selectively dispensed from the twodispensing sets in a manner as set forth hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. the dispensing systems hereof may beemployed behind a counter. bar or the like. For example. as illustratedin FIG. 2, there is disclosed a cabinet 24 in which the dispensing sets.for example thosc illustrated in FIG. I or FIG. II, hereofcan bedisposed for dispensing the various types of the most commonly asked-fordrinks. As illustrated six conduits 26 emerge from cabinet 24 and itwill be appreciated that six dispensing sets are mounted in cabinet 24.The various liquids from the containers within cabinet 24 flow throughconduits 26 into a valve block which houses a solenoid actuated valvefor each conduit 26. The valves are normally closed and each valve isopened in response to actuation of a corresponding liquid dispensingswitch indicated 3011-301. Upon opening a selected valve within valveblock 28 by actuation of a selected one of switches 30a-30f. liquid fromthe desired dispensing set flows through a discrete conduit. not shown,within a conduit housing or sleeve 32 for delivery to a faucet below theselected switch. It will be appreciated that sleeve 32 contains as manyconduits as there are conduits 26. Each valve is maintained in its opencondition for a predetermined time interval whereby a measured quantityof liquid is dispensed from each dispensing set upon actuation of theappropriate selector switch.

Also mounted under the counter is a quantity selector switch .36 bywhich different measures of any one pour can be provided. For example.it is oftentimes desirable to provide a measured pour. i.e.. a one andonehalf ounce shot. in a quantity greater than a normal or regular pour,i.e.. a one ounce shot. Also. it is sometimes desired to provide asmaller measured pour. i.e.. a three quarter ounce shot. in comparisonwith the quantity provided in a normal or regular pour. By actuating thequantity selector switch 36 as hereinafter set forth these over or underpours can be effected. Further, counters are provided. for example in abox 38 below the counter recording the number of each pour in each ofthe regular, over or under pours. In this manner. exact knowledge of thequantity of liquid dispensed by the dispensing system hereof at anydesired time is provided.

Referring to FIG. 3, the manifold carried on the counter top in FIG. 2may be replaced by a flexible hose 40 mounting a nozzle head 42. Thenozzle head 42 mounts a plurality of buttons or switches 44 forselecting the desired liquid from any one of the dispensing setsconnected thereto similarly as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theconduits for the respective dispensing sets are carried through the hoseand terminate in individual faucets in the nozzle head 42. Also,quantity selector switches or buttons are provided on the nozzle headand, when actuated in conjunction with a selected drink. provide for ameasured pour either over or under in comparison with a regular pour. ashereinafter more particularly described.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated in detail areceptacle l0 utilized in the dispensing system hereof. Each receptaclecomprises a bowl-shaped body having an open upper end surrounded by anoutwardly projecting flange 52, and a nipple 54 at the bottom of thebowl and defining the opening through liquid outlet port 22. A pair ofnipples 58 and 60 are provided through a side wall of body 50 adjacentits open upper end. Nipple 58 defines the openings through inlet port 24and is adapted for connection with conduit 22. Nipple 60 defines anopening for mounting a low liquid level sensor. A further opening 62 isprovided in the side wall of bowl 50 adjacent its bottom and mounts asuitable sensor for indicating that the receptacle is empty.

Body 50 is closed at its upper end by a cover 68 having a lateral flange70 and an upwardly extending central boss 72 defining a central opening74 into body 50. The body 50 is internally stepped at its uper end as at76 to provide a seat for an O-ring seal 78. The cover 68 is secured tobody 50 by screws 76 engaging between flanges 70 and 52 with the O-ring78 sealing between cover 68 and body 50 when the former is secured tothe latter.

Slideably mounted in opening 74 is a poppet 80. Poppet 80 terminates atits upper end in a reduced diameter externally threaded end 82. Thelower end of poppet 80 terminates in an outwardly flared skirt orfrustoconical surface 84. An annular groove 86 is provided in skirt 84for receiving an O-ring seal 88. In the valve closed position, seal 88seals about a frustoconical surface 90 formed about the bottom ofopening 70. A pair of axially spaced grooves 92 and 94 are providedabout poppet 80 and receive sealing rings 96 and 98 for sealing aboutthe walls of boss 72 defining opening 74. A pair of passages 100 and 102are provided in axially extending side-by-side relation one to the otherthrough poppet 80. The lower ends 104 and 106 of passages 100 and 102,respectively, are outwardly inclined and open through the side walls ofpoppet 80 above skirt 84 as indicated at 108 in FIG. 6. The passages 100and 102, as indicated in FIG. 6a, are substantially D-shaped incross-section with the flat walls thereof in back-toback relation one tothe other. Body 50 carries a conical spring 110. The upper end of spring110 engages in a recessed seat 112 in the lower end of poppet 80 and itslower end engages against the bottom wall of body 50. Spring 110 biasespoppet 80 into a normally valve closed position with the O-ring 88sealing about the valve seat 90 to preclude communication between body50 and passages 100 and 102.

A collar having an internally threaded central opening is threadedlyreceived about the reduced diameter end 82 of poppet 80.'An O-ring seal122 is provided between the collar and a shoulder on poppet 80. Thecollar mounts an upstanding funnel 124 having side walls 126 which flareoutwardly terminating at their upperends in a wall 128 inclined to thehorizontal. Wall 128 has a central opening 130. The inner walls offunnel 124 slope inwardly toward the top of poppet 80 and provide aflexible surface against which the lip of an inverted bottle seals. Ascreen 132 is carried on top of poppet 88 and within the lower opening134 of funnel 124. The funnel 124 is integrally secured to the collar120.

A bracket for mounting the receptacles and maintaining each liquidcontainer in an inverted position for flowing liquid therefrom throughthe funnel into the passages of poppet 80 and into the associatedreceptacle 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Particularly, an annularbracket encompasses body 50 below flange 52 and is suitably secured to awall or other support structure as by screws 154. The bracket 140includes an intermediate portion 156 between the wall and the receptacleand which portion is rectangular in cross-section as illustrated in FIG.8 having vertically registering slots 158 and 160 through its oppositeupper and lower walls. An upright bracket 162 formed of elongated flatspring steel is receivable in the openings 158 and 160. Bracket 162 hasratchet teeth 164 along one side thereof which cooperated with a springbiased detent 166. Detent 166 comprises a pin 167 having a knob 168 andreceivable through a side wall of intermediate bracket portion 156. Pin167 terminates in a scarfed end 170 and carries washer 171 adjacent itsscarfed end. A spring 172 encompasses pin 167 between the side wall ofbracket 156 and washer 171 to bias the scarfed end of pin 167 intoengagement with ratchet teeth 164 whereby upright bracket 152 can bemaintained in selected vertical position relative to the receptacles.The upper end of bracket 162 terminates in a laterally projecting leafspring 178 having a generally sinuous configuration. The lowermostportion of leaf spring 178 is aligned over the receptacle. It will beappreciated that a bottle can be maintained in an inverted positionbetween spring 178 and the receptacle with the bottle neck disposedwithin funnel 124.

In order to couple the bottle to the funnel so that liquid will flowinto the receptacle, a side wall of the flexible funnel is flexed suchthat upper wall 128 obtains a substantially vertical orientation. Thebottle is tipped such that its open end is received within the opening130 and before the liquid flows out of the bottle. Once the bottle neckis received within opening 130, the bottle can be fully inverted overthe receptacle with the funnel returning substantially to its normalposition. The diameter of opening 130 is slightly smaller than thediameter of the neck of the smallest bottle usable with the system suchthat a substantial seal about the bottle neck is formed. Downwardpressure on the bottle engages the lip of the bottle neck against theinside wall of thefunnel and about the openings through poppet 80.Further downward pressure on the bottle displaces poppet 80 downwardlyagainst the bias of spring 110 thereby providing a through passage fromthe bottle into the receptacle via passages 100 and 102 and passageways104 and 106. Downward movement of the poppet 80 is limited by theengagement of the underside of collar 120 with the upper end of boss 72.The inverted bottle is, of course, slipped under the leaf spring 178.Spring 178 retains the bottle in its inverted position with the poppetvalve in the open position and against the bias of spring 110.

The previously described mountings for the inverted bottles elasticallysupport the bottles between the leaf spring 178 and the poppet spring110. Accordingly. the bottles are not rigidly mounted to the receptaclesbut rather are mounted for movement relative thereto. This issignificant since any shock waves propagated through the pressurizedsystem are absorbed by the elastic mountings provided by springs 110 and178. The bottles are thereby prevented from breakage caused by any suchshock waves.

When the receptacles are utilized in the dispensing sytem hereofillustrated in FIG. 1. they are serially connected one with the other inthe manner previously described. Also. the bottles are inverted andclamped between the receptacles and the leaf spring I78 as previouslydescribed with the liquid flowing from the bottles into the associatedreceptacles. When the gas source is connected to the first of theserially connected receptacles, the gas enters one of the passages 100or 102 by entering the corresponding passageway 104 or 106 and passesupwardly through the poppet valve into the bottle. The gas pressurizedthe remaining liquid in the hottle and drives it downwardly through theother of the passages and passageways into the receptacle.

It is a feature of the present invention that the receptacles andbottles may be maintained at a common elevation with the bottlesemptying sequentially starting with the bottle closest to the gas sourcewith the remaining bottles emptying successively thereafter in adirection toward the faucet. Previously. it has been believed that thebottles and receptacles must be inclined relative to one another withthe gas source being applied to the highest bottle and the faucetconnected to the lowest bottle of the serially connected bottles.

However. it has been found that, with the unique valve design hereof,successful dispensing can be obtained with the receptacles and bottlesat a common or dissimilar elevation. Among other advantages. bottles ata common elevation facilitate installation of the dispensing systemhereof where limited space is available.

It will be appreciated that when one or more of the bottles are emptied.they can be replaced with full bottles without interrupting theoperation of the dispensing system To accomplish this, the empty bottleis first canted from below the leaf spring and the bottle neck is thenwithdrawn from the funnel After the bottle is removed, spring 110displaces poppet 80 into the valve closed position with O-ring 88sealing against valve seat 90. Consequently, gas flowing into thatreceptacle will merely flow through it and into the next seriallyconnected receptacle(s) with the system continuing to operate anddispense liquid from the remaining unemptied bottles. A fresh fullbottle may then be applied to the receptacle in the manner previouslyset forth herein.

It will be further appreciated that the unique funnel hereofaccommodates the bottle necks of the variously different sized bottles.For example, the funnel is both flexible and resilient whereby thefunnel opening is adapted for sealing engagement about the neck of aquart bottle as well as about the neck of a half gallon bottle, thefunnel opening being about one inch in diameter for accommodating thefull range of presently available bottle sizes.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is disclosed an electrical circuit foruse in the dispensing system hereof and particularly for use inoperating the solenoid actuated valves contained in valve box 28, thecounter within box 39, and the over and under pour switch 36. Fordispensing various kinds of liquids. there is provided an electricalcircuit as will now be described. Connected on one side of a I20 volt 60Hz source. there is provided an line 200 connected with a three-positionswitch 202. The contacts 204, 206. and 208 of the switch 202 connectwith time delay switches TDS1, TDS-Z. and TBS-3, respectively. Thesetime delay switches are. in turn. coupled from a common line 217 to thevarious solenoid coils 2ll6a2l6f via respectiv'e lines 218u218f andrespective selector switches 30(1-30/1 The other side of coils 2l6u-2l6fare connected via a line 222 to the other side of the AC source. In eachof the parallel lines connecting between the time delay switches and thecommon line 217, there is provided a pulse counter PCl. PC2, and PC-3,respectively.

It will be appreciated that six selector switches and six coils arespecifically described and illustrated and that a greater or lessernumber of such switches and corresponding coils may be provideddepending upon the number of kinds of drinks it is desired to serve.However. the most common types of drinks served number six or less andtherefore an electrical circuit usable with six kinds of drinks ispreferred.

in operation. a selected one of selector switches 30u30f is closed toenergize the corresponding solenoid coil 216(1-2l6f through one of thetime delay switches TDS1 TDS2. or TDS-3. The three-position switch isnormally biased into a central position in electrical contact withcontact 206 whereby the selected solenoid coil of solenoid coils2l6u-2l6f is thus ener gized for a predetermined time sufficient toprovide a regular size pour. Le. a one ounce shot. Consequently. thebartender need only close the selector switch indicative of the type ofliquid to be dispersed, i.e.. either moving the selected handle ofhandles 30r-30fas illustrated in FIG. 2 or pressing the appropriatebutton on the nozzle head in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, todispense a predetermined quantity of a selected liquid. Further. it willbe noted that. upon a selected one of switches 30a-30f, the pulsecounter PC-Z associated with the line through contact 206 and time delayswitch TDS-2 is energized to record the drink dispensed. 1n the eventthat an over or under sized pour is required. the bartender closes theselected on and off switches 30a30f and also moves the three-positionswitich to the selected contact 204 or 208 thereby energizing a selectedtime delay switch TDS-l or TDS-3. In this manner, the valve is held opena longer or shorter period of time as required to dispense the oversizeor undersize drink. The oversize or undersize pour is likewise recordedon the appropriate counter PC-l or PC-3. The three-position switch, asnoted previously, is biased such that upon its release, it will returnto the central position and into electrical contact with contact 206,whereby the next pour will be of regular size. It will be appreciatedthat the time delay switches TDS-l, TDS-Z and TDS3 may each comprise aswitch whrein flow of current through the switch causes the switch toopen after a predetermined time interval. The switch returns to itsnormally closed position once that time cycle is completed and whereatit is again ready to conduct current.

It will be appreciated that the three pulse counters serve the entiresystem whereby the total number of measured pours dispensed. of whateverkind of liquid. would be recorded as the sum of the counts on the threepulse counters. It will be noted, however, that an additional countercan be located in each line 2l8a218f whereby the total number ofmeasured pours from each set of serially connected receptacles can berecorded.

It will be appreciated that the receptacle disclosed in the foregoingdescribed embodiment may be utilized individually. That is, the inletport of a receptacle can be connected to the gas pressure source and itsoutlet port connected directly to the dispensing faucet. In this manner,dispensing of measured and counted drinks from a single bottle is alsoobtained.

Referring now to another form of a liquid dispensing system constructedin accordance with the present invention. there is illustrated in FIG.11 a plurality of receptacles generally indicated and which receptaclesare adapted to receive liquid from inverted liquid containers generallyindicated 12'. As in the previously described embodiment. apredetermined number of receptacles 10' are serially connected one tothe other, for example by conduits 300, to form a group of seriallyconnected receptacles, it being appreciated that for dispensing othertypes of liquids additional sets or groups of similarly seriallyconnected receptacles may be provided. Also, as in the previousembodiment. the first serially connected receptacle 10a is coupled to anair manifold 302 by a conduit 304. The manifold in turn connects with asource of gas under pressure 306 by a conduit 308 containing a shut-offvalve 310 and a pressure regulator 312. Each receptacle 10u'10j has anelevated inlet port 314 and an outlet port 316 located at the bottom ofthe receptacle. The conduit 304 from the source of gas under pressureconnects with the inlet port 314 of the first serially connectedreceptacle 10a and the conduits 300 serially connected the receptaclesby connection at one end with the outlet port of one receptacle andconnection at its opposite end with the inlet port 314 of the nextserially arranged receptacle. The outlet port 316 of the last receptacle10/ is provided with a conduit 318 for communicating liquid to adispensing faucet, not shown. The foregoing described receptacles andtheir containers may, as in the previous embodiment, be similarlydisposed behind a counter, bar or the like as illustrated in FIG. 2.Also, either the selector switches illustrated in FIG. 2 or the selectorswitches mounted on a hose as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be utilized todispense liquid from the system illustrated in FIG. 11 in like manner aspreviously described. Further, the quantity selection and counterapparatus previously described in connection with the first embodimentmay also be utilized in connection with this embodiment.

The receptacles 10a'-10f are similar in construction to the receptaclespreviously described and further description thereof is believedunnecessary. Likewise, the cover 68 for the receptacles of thisembodiment is identical to the cover 68 described in the precedingembodiment and further description thereof is also believed unnecessary.

For purposes which will become clear, each conduit 300, which provides aflow passage between adjacent serially connected receptacles, isprovided with a check valve designated 320. Likewise conduits 304 and318 are similarly provided with like check valves 320. The check valveemployed herein is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 12 and 13.Specifically, the check valve includes a cylindrical housing 322 open atone end to define an interior cylindrical chamber 323 communicating withan axial passage 325 and having a nipple 324 at its opposite end forconnection with the conduit 300. About the interior surface of housing322 defining chamber 323, there is provided a circumferentiallyextending groove 326 and a plurality of tapered ribs 328 for guiding adisc-like seal 330 disposed in chamber 323 into sealing engagementagainst an annular shoulder 332 at the base of chamber 323. Check valve320 also includes a stem 334 having an axial passageway 335 and a nipple326 for connection with the conduit 300. Stem 334 has acircumferentially extending rib 336 for engagement in the groove 326whereby the housing 322 and stem 334 are secured one to the other. Theforward end of the stem terminates in a plurality of axially projecting,circumferentially spaced, fingers 338 for maintaining disc 330 spacedfrom the axial passage 335 through stem 334. Disc 330 is formed ofresilient material, for example, a closed cell plastic material. Fromthe foregoing description, it will be appreciated that disc 330 ismovable axially between a position seating against shoulder 332 therebysealing passage 325 and the illustrated position providing for flowthrough the check valve in the direction of the arrow, for examplethrough passage 325 into chamber 323, about disc 330 and between fingers338 into passage 335. It will also be appreciated that back pressurewill cause the valve disc 330 to seat against the shoulder 332preventing back flow of liquid through check valve 320.

In lieu of the check valve illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the bottom ofthe receptacles 10a'l0f may be provided with a ball check valve, forexample as illustrated in FIGS. 17l9. Particularly, the lower outletport 316 of the receptacle may comprise a nipple 340 depending from thebottom wall of the receptacle and defining an outlet passage 342 havingan interior tapered surface or seat 344. A ferrule 346 may be suitablysecured about nipple 340 for example by an epoxy adhesive. The lower endof the ferrule defines a central passage 348 which terminates in aninternally threaded boss 350. A fitting 352 is threaded on ferrule 346for connection with the conduit 300.

The base of ferrule 346 has a plurality of upstanding pins 354circumferentially spaced about passage 348 which under normal conditionsof flow support a ball 356 in a manner to permit liquid flow from thereceptacle through passages 342, about ball 356, between pins 354 andthrough passage 348 into the conduit 300. It will be appreciated thatattempted reverse flow of liquid into the receptacle 1011 as illustratedin FIG. 18 causes ball 356 to rise and seal against seat 344 wherebyback flow is prevented.

Also, illustrated in FIG. 18 is a screen or wire mesh 357 disposed inthe bottom of the receptacle overlying passage 342. The screen 357prevents flow of foreign objects, for example, bits of paper or cork,into the flow passages of the dispensing system.

Referring back to FIGS. 14-16, a further feature of the presentinvention provides for an elongated transition element interposedbetween each inverted container and its corresponding receptacle. Thisnovel and unique transition element is provided to permit gas underpressure to flow into the container and liquid under pressure to flowfrom the container and into its corresponding receptacle whilemaintaining such flow passages externally sealed. i.e.. sealing thecontainer to the receptacle. Moreover. the transition element isparticularly adapted to fit the various container sizes utilized in theliquor industry, one of the industries in which the present invention isintended for commercial use. The transition element 360 is formed of aresilient material. for example neoprene rubber. and has a pair ofaxially extending side-by-side passages 362 and 364. As illustrated inFIG. 16. these passages are generally semi-cylindrical in cross sectionand enable flow of gas under pressure into the container and flow ofliquid from the container into the receptacle.

To ensure that the transition element 360 forms a seal between theinverted container and the receptacle and also to provide a transitionelement adapted to fit the various sizes of containers in a specifiedindustry. i.e.. the liquor industry. the generally cylindricaltransition element 360 is provided with two frustoconical externalsurfaces 366 and 368. Frustoconieal surface 366 lies intermediate thelength of transition element 360 and has its diametrically larger base370 directly contiguous to. and particularly copolanar with thediametrically larger base 372 of frustoconical surface 368. Since base370 is larger in diameter than base 372. there is provided a step alongthe outer surface of member 360 which overlies the inlet port to thereceptacle as illustrated in FIG. 15 to prevent foreign objects frominadvertently falling into the receptacle.

The forward end of frustoconical surface 368 terminates in a stillfurther, more shllow. furstoconical section 374, both surfaces 366 and374 extending from their larger diameter bases in a like axialdirection. Frustoconical surface 368, however. extends from its base 372in the opposite axial direction. Thus it will be appreciated that theoutlet to the container may be received about surface sections 374 and366 with the section 366 serving to form a seal about the margins of theoutlet of the container. Also. surface 368 is received in the inletopening of the receptacle and forms a seal therewith. Consequently.liquid from the container and gas under pressure from the receptacle arepermitted to flow in opposite directions through the passages 362 and366 without leakage to the surrounding environment. The upper ends ofthe passages 362 and 364 terminate in tapered openings 376 and 378.respectively. with the central wall 380 between passages 362 and 364serving as the extreme tip or upper edge of member 360. The taperedopenings 376 about the tip of element 360 serve to facilitate insertionof the outlet of the container about the member 360 as well as enablesubstantially the entirety of the liquid contents of the container toflow into the receptacle through the passages.

When the system components are arranged as illustrated in FIG. 11, gasunder pressure flows into the receptacles via the conduits 308, 304 and300 and into the inverted containers mounted on top of the corrspondingreceptacles via at least one of the passages 362 and 364 of thetransition element. Liquid in all of the containers flows into thecorresponding receptacles until each container and its receptacle ispressurized, i.e.. about eight pounds. Liquid can then be withdrawn fromthe system by operation of the solenoid-actuated valve controlling theflow of liquid from the serially connected receptacles to thecorresponding faucet. When the valve is open and the liquid is drawnoff, the flow progresses serially from receptacle to receptacle to thefaucet. Particularly. the flow is such that the first of the seriallyconnected containers and receptacles. i.e.. container 12a and receptacle10a empties first with each succeeding container and receptacle emptyingthereafter in sequence.

To replace the empty containers with fresh full containers. each emptycontainer is canted or pulled off its transition element. A newcontainer is then placed on the transition element and the spring biasesthe container downwardly onto the transition element to maintain theseal therebetween. When a container has been removed from the system.the check valve 320 and ball check valve 356. depending upon which typeof check valve is employed. serves to prevent backflow of liquid fromsucceeding receptacles. That is. once the seal between an empty bottleand a receptacle is broken. for example when a replacement bottle isrequired. the pressure in that receptacle drops to zero causing the nextsucceeding check valve to seal. The check valves thus serve to isolatethe loaded part of the system which is under pressure from the emptycontainer or containers preventing reverse flow. This also preventsintermixing of the contents of the containers one with the other.Further. the check valves serve to prevent possible overflow of thereceptacles on which the containers are being replaced because of theliquid and air pressure in the loaded part of the system. Still further.the check valves serve to retain pressure in the loaded part of thesystem such that liquid can be continuously dispensed for a limitedperiod of time while reloading. It will be appreciated that the changeof the containers can be accomplished either by shutting down the gassupply. for example by closing valve 310, or can be accomplished withthe gas supply on. It will be appreciated that in the foregoingdescribed system. all of the containers may be at the same elevationalthough this is not necessary to their operation. The containers maytherefore be located at different elevations. Also it will beappreciated that a greater or lesser number of containers andreceptacles than illustrated may be utilized for dispensing any givenliquid.

Referring now to FIG. 20, a single container dispensing system isutilized wherein single containers of different liquids may bedispensed. In this form. manifold 30212 is coupled to the gas pressuresource 3061; via the valve 31Gb and pressure regulator 312b. Manifold302b has a plurality of outlet ports for communicating gas underpressure to each of the discrete receptacles connected thereto. Forexample. conduit 400 connects manifold 302b to receptacle I0a" while aconduit 402 connects the manifold 302b to a receptacle 10b". Each of theremaining receptacles is similarly connected with the manifold. In eachsuch conduit 400, 402, etc.. there is disposed a check valve 320" of thetype specifically illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. In operation, the gasunder pressure flows through the manifold and through the discreteconduits to the corresponding receptacles pressurizing the liquid in theinverted containers associated therewith and in the receptacles per se.The outlet ports 316" of the receptacles are each connected by adiscrete conduit to a separate dispensing faucet. Thus, upon opening thevalve controlling the faucet, liquid flows from the associatedreceptacle and container to the faucet. The check valves 320" serve toprevent back flow of liquid into the gas manifold and contamination ofboth the liquid as well as the manifold. It will be appreciated that thetransition element 360 previously described in connection with FIGS.14-16 is also utilized in this latter dispensing system.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing liquids from a plurality of inverted liquidcontainers comprising; a plurality of liq- .uid receptacles. each ofsaid receptacles having an inlet for receiving liquid from an invertedliquid container. means carried by each of said receptacles for sealingbetween said receptacle and the inverted liquid container and having apassage enabling the liquid from each container to flow into thecorresponding receptacle, means connecting said receptacles in seriesone with the other for communicating liquid successively through saidreceptacles, a source of gas under pressure. means coupling said gassource to a first of said serially connected receptacles forpressurizing the liquid in said receptacles and the inverted containers.a dispensing faucet, means coupling the last serially connectedreceptacle to said faucet for dispensing liquid under pressure from theserially connected receptacles and enabling the containers to besuccessively emptied starting with the container emptying into saidfirst receptacle, and a plurality of check valves respectively carriedby the portions of said connecting means between next adjacent seriallyconnected pairs of receptacles whereby back flow of liquid between theserially connected receptacles is precluded.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said receptacles hasan inlet port and an outlet port, said connecting means including aplurality of fluid conduits, each said fluid conduit connecting betweenthe outlet port of a receptacle and the inlet port of a next seriallyconnected receptacle for flowing liquid sequentially through saidreceptacles in a direction toward said faucet.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said receptacles hasan inlet port and an outlet port located at an elevation below saidinlet port, said connecting means including conduits connecting atrespective opposite ends with the outlet ports and inlet ports of theserially connected receptacles. the check valve being carried by saidreceptacle and located at said outlet port. 7

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said check valve comprises aball, a valve seat about said outlet port and a ball support, said ballbeing normally spaced from said seat on said support to enable outflowof liquid from the receptacle through its outlet port past said checkvalve, and being movable in response to back pressure into sealingengagement against said seat to preclude inflow of liquid into saidreceptacle through its oulet port.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said sealing meansincludes a member formed of resilient material for sealing about theoutlet of the container and the opening into said receptacle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said member is elongated andhas a second passage therethrough. said passage extending in thedirection of the long axis of said member and lying in side-by-side,substantially parallel relation one to the other.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each said member hasside-by-side inlets at one end thereof for flow of liquid from theassociated container through the passages into the receptacle, themargins of the member defining each of said inlets being axially spacedone from the other whereby substantially the entirety of the liquid inthe containers flows through said inlets and said passages.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said member is elongated andhas at least one generally frustoconically shaped, axially extending,external surface for sealing engagement about the outlet of the invertedcontainer or the inlet to said receptacle.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said member is elongated andhas a pair of axially spaced, and extending, generally frustoconicallyshaped external surfaces for respective sealing engagement with theoutlet of the inverted container and the inlet to said receptacle.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said frustoconical surfacesextend in opposite axial directions and have their larger diameterportions adjacent one another.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the base of thefrustoconical surface which seals about the outlet of the invertedcontainer is larger in diameter than the base of the frustoconicalsurface which seals about the inlet to the receptacle whereby the firstmentioned base overhangs the second mentioned base when said member isinterposed between the inverted container and the receptacle.

Patent No.

3,880,330 Dated April 29, 1975 Inventor(s) Vernon E. Leas and JeffreyAlan Leas It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

C01. C01, Col. C01. (301. (301. Col. C01. C01. C01. Col.

C01. C01. C01. C01. C01. C01. Col.

1, line 33, "inerted" should read --inverted--. 2, line 16, "staring"should read --starting--. 2, line 40, "containes" should read--containers--. 2 line 45 "bottl" should read -bottle--. 3 line 4,similary" should read -similarly--. 3, line 49 insert -each-- after"surface, 3, line 54 "describe" should read --dispense--. 4, line 2,"improves" should read --improved--. 4, line 25, "reaidly" should read--readily--. 5 line 58, "adatped" should read --adapted--. 6, line 6,after "Each" insert --conduit 16 connects between an outlet port 22 inthe bottom--. 6, line 13, delete one "and". 7, line 30, "uper" shouldread .--upper- 10, line 38, "30r" should read --30a--. 10, line 49,"switich" should read--switch-. 10, line 61, "whrein" should read--wherein--. 13, line 22 "copolanar" should read --coplanar--. 13, line30, "shllow" should read --shallow--.

Signed and Sealed this twenty-eight Day Of October 1975 Arrest:

RUTH MASON dinning Office?

1. Apparatus for dispensing liquids from a plurality of inverted liquidcontainers comprising; a plurality of liquid receptacles, each of saidreceptacles having an inlet for receiving liquid from an inverted liquidcontainer, means carried by each of said receptacles for sealing betweensaid receptacle and the inverted liquid container and having a passageenabling the liquid from each container to flow into the correspondingreceptacle, means connecting said receptacles in series one with theother for communicating liquid successively through said receptacles, asource of gas under pressure, means coupling said gas source to a firstof said serially connected receptacles for pressurizing the liquid insaid receptacles and the inverted containers, a dispensing faucet, meanscoupling the last serially connected receptacle to said faucet fordispensing liquid under pressure from the serially connected receptaclesand enabling the containers to be successively emptied starting with thecontainer emptying into said first receptacle, and a plurality of checkvalves respectively carried by the portions of said connecting meansbetween next adjacent serially connected pairs of receptacles wherebyback flow of liquid between the serially connected receptacles isprecluded.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of saidreceptacles has an inlet port and an outlet port, said connecting meansincluding a plurality of fluid conduits, each said fluid conduitconnecting between the outlet port of a receptacle and the inlet port ofa next serially connected receptacle for flowing liquid sequentiallythrough said receptacles in a direction toward said faucet.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein each of said receptacles has an inlet portand an outlet port located at an elevation below said inlet port, saidconnecting means including conduits connecting at respective oppositeends with the outlet ports and inlet ports of the serially connectedreceptacles, the check valve being carried by said receptacle andlocated at said outlet port.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 whereinsaid check valve comprises a ball, a valve seat about said outlet portand a ball support, said ball being normally spaced from said seat onsaid support to enable outflow of liquid from the receptacle through itsoutlet port past said check valve, and being movable in response to backpressure into sealing engagement against said seat to preclude inflow ofliquid into said receptacle through its oulet port.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein each said sealing means includes a memberformed of resilient material for sealing about the outlet of thecontainer and the opening into said receptacle.
 6. Apparatus accordingto claim 5 wherein said member is elongated and has a second passagetherethrough, said passage extending in the direction of the long axisof said member and lying in side-by-side, substantially parallelrelation one to the other.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 whereineach said member has side-by-side inlets at one end thereof foR flow ofliquid from the associated container through the passages into thereceptacle, the margins of the member defining each of said inlets beingaxially spaced one from the other whereby substantially the entirety ofthe liquid in the containers flows through said inlets and saidpassages.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said member iselongated and has at least one generally frustoconically shaped, axiallyextending, external surface for sealing engagement about the outlet ofthe inverted container or the inlet to said receptacle.
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein said member is elongated and has a pair ofaxially spaced, and extending, generally frustoconically shaped externalsurfaces for respective sealing engagement with the outlet of theinverted container and the inlet to said receptacle.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said frustoconical surfaces extend inopposite axial directions and have their larger diameter portionsadjacent one another.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein thebase of the frustoconical surface which seals about the outlet of theinverted container is larger in diameter than the base of thefrustoconical surface which seals about the inlet to the receptaclewhereby the first mentioned base overhangs the second mentioned basewhen said member is interposed between the inverted container and thereceptacle.